Le porc local d'origine ibérique a été introduit au Tchad en 1918, par des missionnaires en provenance du Cameroun. Ensuite en 1951, le porc limousin originaire de France fut importé par le service de l'élevage afin d'améliorer le format et le rendement du porc local. Après quatre années d'essais, ce programme a été abandonné au Nord, essentiellement pour des raisons religieuses. En revanche, dans la partie sud majoritairement non musulmane, la diffusion a enregistré un succès relatif jusqu'en 1958. Par la suite, des géniteurs de la race Yorkshire et Berkshire furent importés du Moyen Congo. Quelques élevages “semi-industriels”, installés dans les années 1950 et aux mains des expatriés, ont adopté ces races et ont contribué à l'exportation de viande dans la sous-région de l'Afrique Equatoriale française (AEF). Les traditions d'élevage des populations locales, l'appui des services agricoles et des sociétés de développement (Paysannats et Communautés villageoises) de la région ont contribué au succès relatif de cette diffusion. En outre, l'absence des relevés zootechniques précis, n'a pas permis d'apprécier les performances de ces races et des métis. L'alimentation, le gardiennage défectueux et le manque de déboucher pour la production paysanne ont été des obstacles majeurs au développement et à la vulgarisation de l'élevage porcin en milieu paysan.

The Salem Black is an important meat goat breed in the north-western part of Tamil Nadu, India. The native tract of this breed is the Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Erode, Karur and Namakkal districts of Tamil Nadu. Salem Black goats are tall animals, completely black in colour and reared mainly for meat. The average herd size of Salem Black goats was 31, of which there were 1 buck, 23 does and 7 kids The chest girth, body length and height at withers of Salem Black goats at full mouth age were 79.6±1.1 cm, 75.0±1.5 cm and 86.0±1.6 cm, respectively in males and 73.1 ±0.6 cm, 69.8±0.5 cm and 75.5±0.8 cm, respectively in females. The body weight of Salem Black goats at full mouth age was 38.5±1.0 kg in males and 29.5±0.6 kg in females. The average age at first mating was 9.5±0.4 months in males and 9.7±0.2 months in females, and the average age at first kidding was 14.8±0.2 months. The percentage of animals producing singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets was 54.1, 40.0, 8.2 and 0.4, respectively. Salem Black goats are allowed to browse extensively as a herded group for about seven to eight hours per day and are housed mostly (80%) during the night. Farmers kept breeding bucks, when available, in the herds at all times and exercised no controlled mating. The mortality rate in kids and adults was 7.5% and 2.3% respectively.

The American Milking Devon Association was established in 1978 to record and preserve a unique type of cattle originally developed in the United States in the 17th century from imported English and contemporary American stocks. Phenotypically, it exhibits a spectrum of red colour, with light-coloured curved horns and medium body size. The breed is one of the few remaining triple-purpose breeds in the United States, and has been selected by breeders since colonial times for excellent temperament and powerful draught ability, along with desirable dairy and beef characteristics. It is well adapted to low-input management schemes and harsh environments. The American Milking Devon is currently found on the ‘critical’ list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, indicating that there are fewer than 200 new registrations annually. Since the inception of the American Milking Devon Association, a small group of dedicated breeders has done much to preserve these cattle. However, new management tools are now being introduced to assist breeders and allow conservation of genetic diversity while retaining the original breed traits in terms of size, colour, beef and dairy production, and character and working ability.

The Banni buffaloes distributed in the Kachchh region of Gujarat state in western India are medium to large in body size with a compact body and typical coiled horns. Mean body length, heart girth and height at withers estimated during the survey were 153.7±0.4 cm, 205.5±0.6 cm and 136.7±0.2 cm, respectively. Data on 397 adult milking buffaloes from Banni area based on interviews with farmers, revealed the mean age at first calving to be 39.7±0.4 months, a mean service period of 66.4±1.3 days, a mean lactation length of 293.3±1.5 days and a mean peak yield of 15.7±0.1 litres. Genetic diversity analysis of Banni buffaloes using a set of 15 heterologus bovine microsatellite markers revealed a high degree of allelic polymorphism with a total of 81 alleles and a mean of 5.4. The observed heterozygosity was found to be moderate with a mean of 0.506 and ranged from 0.125 (ILSTS 045) to 0.795 (ILSTS 008). The mean F value (0.181) across 15 microsatellite loci was significantly positive indicating heterozygote deficiency in the population. The test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium revealed seven of the 15 microsatellite loci analyzed showing significant deviations.

Characterization and genetic diversities among members of a species are fundamental to their improvement and conservation. This study was conducted to characterize and estimate genetic diversity in the ecotypes of the locally adapted Muscovy duck in Nigeria using blood proteins (haemoglobin, transferrin and albumin) and enzyme (carbonic anhydrase) markers. Blood samples collected from 20, 40 and 20 adult Muscovy ducks sampled randomly from the Rain Forest, Derived Savanna and Guinea Savanna ecotypes, respectively, were typed for blood proteins and enzyme polymorphism with cellulose acetate paper. Genetic variability in the studied population was accessed using heterozygosity (H), effective number of allele (ne) and polymorphism (percent P). All the 13 allelic variants expressed at the four loci were expressed in the Derived Savanna ecotype but 12 each in the Rain Forest and Guinea Savanna ecotypes. Results showed that all the four loci were polymorphic (100 percent) and the estimated heterozygosity among them was similar (0.424–0.481). Similarity in the estimated genetic variability parameters among ecotypes indicate that the sub-populations understudy was under similar evolutionary forces and there were no appreciable differences among them.

Rampur Bushair is an important dual-purpose (meat and wool) sheep in the north temperate Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh state (India). The breeding tract of the breed runs across three districts namely Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Information on three body biometric characteristics, viz. body length from shoulder to pin bone, chest girth and height at wither, qualitative confirmation attributes and body weights of 335 animals were recorded. Animals were strong, well-built and of medium size with a square brow. The animals were mostly white, but black, brown and mottled were also found in good numbers. Typically a prominent Roman nose, convex head, large eyes and pendulous ears (10 cm to 15 cm long) with a prominent mid-ridge were peculiar characteristics of this breed. The males had medium to long (19 cm to 29 cm) curling horns, running backwards and downwards. The ewes were polled. The average adult body weight of males was 34.7 kg and that of females was 26.0 kg. The body weight of adult male and female sheep varied from 24 kg to 47 kg and 18 kg to 40 kg, respectively. Wool yield varied from 200 g to 500 g per shearing. The animals were shorn twice a year (summer and winter). Sexual maturity in males and females is reached at one year of age.

The information on feed, management and breeding practices, flock size and structure, reproductive performance and disease prevalence in the breeding tract was collected through formal interviews, using a structured questionnaire given to sheep owners, who were chosen at random within a structured, stratified framework. There were 98 574 animals of the Rampur Bushair sheep breed in its breeding tract based on the sample survey estimates. The results indicated good scope for improvement of its productivity under the field conditions based on selective breeding.

At the beginning of the 1980's, Sambucana sheep, which have inhabited a valley in the northern Italian region of Cuneo since the Eighteenth century, were on the verge of extinction. In an effort to safeguard the breed, the ‘Comunità Montana’ and local institutes set up a consortium which includes approximately eighty breeders and has entrusted the recovery of the breed's genetic heritage, threatened by repeated cross-breeding with Biellese sheep, to a ram centre. The sales of Sambucana lamb, which is a highly prized meat guaranteed by a specific brand, have increased at the shops in the province served by the consortium, and moreover the economy of mountain communities has benefited from the protection program. A pack of wolves endangering the summer grazing of the sheep at high altitudes could in the future have a negative effect on the purity of the breed and the characteristics of the meat.

In light of the upcoming first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources (September 2007), experts have been interviewed to tell about their experiences in the management of animal genetic resources over the past fifty years. They identified three milestones in the history of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) management: the foundation of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (1973), the FAO/UNEP 1980 Technical Consultation on AnGR, and the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). Conservation of AnGR started at grassroot level and eventually led to policies at governmental level. The passion of civil society organizations remains vital to conserve local livestock breeds. Technical and financial support will be crucial for the future of AnGR conservation. The next milestone will be a Global Plan of Action that is expected as one outcome of the International Technical Conference.

Pedigree analysis using genealogical information of 18 315 animals born between 1949 and 2008 was done to quantify genetic variability of the Sahiwal population in Kenya. Generation intervals for sire pathways were longer than dam pathways and increased over year periods, from about 4–16 years. The later was due to use of old bulls for breeding in the last 2 year groups and cessation of progeny testing in the year 2000. Average inbreeding level in last year period studied was 1.2 percent. Genetic variability of the population as assessed based on gene origin statistics decreased over the years. The ratio of effective number of founders to founders of 0.06 showed unequal contribution of founders to the reference population. However, since the founding population, ancestors contributed equally as shown by the ratio of f e/f a of 0.94, which could also be due to lack of effective selection in this population. The ratio of f g/f a of 0.63 indicated genetic loss of genetic variability occurred through genetic drift in the Kenyan Sahiwal population. The small number of ancestors (16) that accounted for 50 percent of the total variation in the reference population suggested overuse of a small number of some animals as parents over generations. The smaller ratio of f g/f e compared with f a/f e also confirms loss of genetic variability in the population by genetic drift than bottlenecks. Therefore the breeding strategy for the Sahiwal population in Kenya should incorporate tools that balance rate of genetic gain and the future rate of inbreeding.

The use of Holstein cattle genes from Canada and the United States is increasing in European Friesians. Estimates of the rate of change are given.

This work describes a morphometric and reproductive study conducted on male and female N'Dama cattle in Congo. The study was concentrated on a herd having an average live weight of 255.1 ± 19.8 kg and 249.7 ± 26.4 kg respectively for male and female animals at 3 years of age. The regular coat is fawn with black legs. Some animals are piebald with occasional white patches and brown sprays.

Some average body measurements were evaluated: the wither height (115.3 ± 1.1 cm and 111.8 ± 0.9 cm), the length of the body from point of shoulder to point of buttock (143.7 ± 3.1 cm and 140.8 ± 3.2 cm) and the heart girth (158.2 ± 4.2 cm and 144.4 ± 1.3 cm) respectively for male and female animals.

When considering puberty as the age of first oestrus, by the overall behavioural criteria, the age of puberty fluctuated around 458 ± 26 days with a weight of 168 ± 18 kg. When considering puberty as the moment where a cycle similar to that of an adult ready to be fertilized is established, the results were different: the age of puberty became 779 ± 119 days with a weight of 182 ± 16 kg.

The N'Dama heifers born in the rainy season are more precocious (461.2 ± 33 days) with a weight of 184.6 ± 21 kg, against 767 ± 22 days and 191.8 ± 21 kg during the dry season. The number of calves born from a breeding dam was 0.8.

In our study, sire puberty was reached between 16 and 20 months, for a weight of 151.8 ± 16 kg. A positive correlation (r = 0.49 ± 0.1) was obtained between scrotal circumference and puberty weight.

Jalauni sheep are found in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states in India. About 37% of the geographical area of this region is under cultivation and about 86% of the population, mostly directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, live in villages. Forests, cultivable waste and barren land occupy more than 50% of the area, permanent pasture and other grazing lands about 9% and miscellaneous tree crops and grasses about 0.7%. The livestock census figures of 1977 and 1997 indicate an annual declining trend of 0.04 % in the sheep population in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states. Characterization and evaluation of Jalauni sheep under field conditions were undertaken to establish the norms, morphological characteristics and performance parameters of this breed. A total of 78 households were visited in 29 villages in five districts. Information on feeding, breeding and management practices, utility patterns etc. and production and reproductive performance was collected through personal observations and interaction with the farmers. Body weight and/or body measurements were recorded for 374 animals. Average adult body weights of male and female Jalauni sheep were 35.5±2.1 and 27.2±0.7 kg respectively. Age at first lambing was 1.5 to 2 years and lambing interval one year. A ewe, on an average, delivers 7–9 lambs in her lifetime.

The Krishna Valley breed of cattle is a draught breed able to withstand extremely hot, humid climatic conditions and which has the capacity to undertake heavy work in the black cotton soil in the valleys of the Krishna river in India. Their home tract is restricted to a few taluks (divisions within a district) of the northern parts of Karnataka. The distinguishing morphological features of the breed are the presence of a black-coloured muzzle and black shades dispersed over the body with the lower half of the scrotum also being black in colour. The average values for height, body length and chest girth are 116.4±1.2, 128.4±2.0 and 144.7±2.0 cm in cows; and 150.5±0.5, 146.0±3.0 and 191.0±1.0 cm in bullocks, respectively. The cytogenetic investigation revealed the normal characteristics of cattle chromosomes (2n=60). The microsatellite alleles occurred at frequencies of 0.0208 (ILSTS005) to 0.7604 (ETH152) with the polymorphism information content (PIC) values in the range of 0.3856 (ETH152) to 0. 7725 (ILSTS034). The breed has a relatively long productive life as the number of calvings can go up to twelve. As the number of animals of this breed remaining is only in the order of a few hundred, conservation measures are to be taken to avoid the extinction of this valuable germplasm.

Poultry biodiversity conservation is a great challenge for many countries. Within the last several years, the number of endangered local breeds has increased, leading to a considerable loss of genetic resources. A similar trend was observed among the poultry breeds, including chicken, local turkey and goose breeds/lines established in Bulgaria, part of which is definitely lost. Currently these breeds/lines are at risk and/or threatened with extinction. The information obtained by phenotypic characterization of these breeds is the first step for planning the management of poultry genetic resources through setting up improved selection schemes and conservation strategies. In this paper, we reviewed the current state of knowledge regarding the morphological and phenotypic diversity of local poultry breeds and some old productive poultry lines in Bulgaria.

Native breeds of beef cattle in Britain have been superseded by imported breeds since the 1960s, but a changing market in the 1990s has begun to restore traditional values. The distinctive qualities of native breeds are becoming more relevant, and the White Park is a prime example of their importance. This paper makes a critical evaluation of several studies of White Park cattle that have been carried out, namely productivity in non-intensive systems of management, assessment of type and function by linear measurements, quality of product (meat), and value in crossing programmes. It concludes that breeds such as the White Park derive significant added value as a result of their native adaptability and the high quality of their beef, and that they benefit from a market driven by consumers rather than supermarkets. The use of different linear measurements is proposed, and the effective use of White Park bulls in crossing programmes is demonstrated.

The Kerry is the most numerous of the three surviving indigenous breeds of cattle in Ireland. With a total population currently under a thousand animals it is listed as endangered in the World Watch list. Conservation efforts currently focus on both in situ and ex situ conservation. This approach is possible because of the existence of a few enthusiastic pedigree breeders, a breed society and a herdbook with registrations dating back to the 19th century. The Kerry cattle population is small with overlapping generations. The main objective in its conservation is to minimise inbreeding and conserve genetic variation. The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) was recently mandated to support and co-ordinate the conservation efforts which are centred around minimum coancestry selection, a mating advisory service, semen and embryo cryoconservation. To this end, a mean relationship system was developed for the routine computation of inbreeding and provision of a mating advisory system. Four bulls are identified annually for semen collection and storage. A second scheme aims to identify 15 cows for embryo cryoconservation over a three-year period. Future conservation efforts will benefit from the collation of Kerry cattle breeding and production information in a central database. This and a study of the dynamics of the Kerry cattle population are future priorities for ICBF in an effort to prevent the extinction of the Kerry cattle.

Munjal is a mutton-type sheep found in some districts of the Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan states. A sample survey was conducted in two districts of Rajasthan and one district of Punjab to record characteristics of Munjal sheep. Information was recorded on morphological characteristics, body measurements and body weight. Munjal sheep are quite big in size, tall, rectangular and massive with a dark brown face. Measurements were recorded of body length, height, heart girth, paunch girth, ear length and tail length. Adult body weights were also recorded. Wool samples were collected and analysed for their quality attributes. Wool from this breed is very coarse and hairy.

Studies on Sahiwal cattle genetic resources in the tropics have mainly concentrated on evaluating their performance levels, with only a few published reports describing the breed characteristics. The aim of this study was to critically examine the existing breeding and conservation programmes for Sahiwal cattle in the tropics, focusing on Pakistan, India and Kenya as the core regions of development. The study was based on review of both published and unpublished literature highlighting shortcomings and strengths in the existing strategies, and opportunities for improvement and conservation. The Sahiwal breed is utilized for dairy and beef production under smallholder dairy, pastoral extensive and ranching production systems, both as pure-breds or cross-breds. The necessary components to strengthen the breeding programmes such as performance recording, genetic evaluation and artificial insemination (AI) facilities exist to differing degrees. Breeding and conservation efforts benefit from the technical and financial support from government research institutions which also provide incentives to enhance participation in the programmes. However, breeding goals are rather informal and only defined in terms of high-production levels with functional traits largely ignored. There is need for participatory identification of breeding and production goals, and structured cooperation of the small herds, so as to accommodate the specific contributions of the breed in future breeding and conservation programmes.